County's pet regulations discussed after noise ordinance plan considered by Baldwin County leaders

BAY MINETTE, Alabama -- A countywide noise ordinance is being discussed in today's Baldwin County Commission work session now under way in Bay Minette.

Later in the ongoing meeting, county leaders also discussed the issue of publishing a pamphlet of the regulations in the county regarding pets -- dogs in particular.

The county's consideration of a noise law comes as the city of Fairhope is debating a municipal law there. Mayor Tim Kant vetoed a city ordinance last week that would have limited the maximum daytime noise levels to roughly that of normal conversation.

In a 3-2 vote on Oct. 24, the City Council agreed to prohibit any noise louder than 65 decibels between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. After 10 p.m., any noise that surpassed 50 decibels, or slightly louder than a humming refrigerator, would have been prohibited.

The mayor's veto, however, makes that vote "null and void," according to city leaders.

The city is expected to stick with an ordinance passed in January that sets a daytime maximum of 85 decibels and a limit of 65 decibels after 10 p.m.

In Mobile, the noise ordinance is restricted to residential districts, where 85 decibels is prohibited between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and 50 decibels is prohibited from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m.